alt Hacker NewsThe problem with a progressive tax for a service is that there is no pricing mechanism to direct it.
If fewer people drive, and more take the train, how is the state compelled to shift funding?
This is one of the hard problems of politics, and it’s one of the reasons markets have been successful, but most people entirely ignore it.
Again, the point of the article is that we already do not have enough budget for road infrastructure, and the roads are already significantly subsidized by federal highway spending. Any solution of “more taxes on wealth and earnings” is theoretically doable, but practically very difficult. Taxing use seems entirely reasonable.
Probably shouldn't have a progressive tax for a service. You have a progressive tax for things like automobiles, houses, income. A portion of that revenue goes to transportation services that benefit both the public and local business.
> Taxing use seems entirely reasonable.
If by use you mean 18-wheelers, then by all means, tax away. I am pretty sure highways would last for decades with a minimum of maintenance if there were no large trucks on them.